Loader



-March-19, 1946. c, B. RICHEY LOADER Filed June 8, 1944 6 Sheegs-Sheet 1INVENTOR. CZQPGZZCGB March 19, 1946. c. B. RICHEY LOADER Filed June 8,1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

CZ B h Bqiwenc E00 31 MW March 19, 1946. c. B. RICHEY LOADER 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 8, 1944 INVEfV TORY.

Mam-ch 19, 1946. c. B. RICHEY 2,397,046

LOADER Filed June 8, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 CZ mmvrge.

are/206B Zf-o'c 6 BY W March 19, 1946. B, RICHE 2,397,046

- LOADER Filed June 8, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 6 2342 fence 3 fc/gPatented Mar. 19, 1946 LOADER Clarence B. Richey, Quincy, Ill., assignorto Electric Wheel Company, Quincy, III., a corporation of IllinoisApplication June 8, 1944, Serial 'No. 539,304

16 Claims. (015214-131)- This invention is directed to a loader that maybe conveniently attached to a standard make of tractor and which is soarranged as to be connectible with the tractor power lift for itsoperation forloading or unloading as the case may be. There are a numberof loaders on the market which attach to the tractors for use in loadingmanure-ha or the like, as general utility equipment on a farm. Some areattachable to the front end of a tractor and others ar made to attach tothe rear end of a tractor. It has been found from experience that frontend loaders have proven expensive for ordinary practical farm use sincethe require many parts with special framework, hoists, etc., making thesame cumbersome, limiting the field of operation thereof considerablyand also cutting down the flexibility of operation of such a unit aswell. Many diificulties have likewise presented themselves with the useof the types of rear loaders nowon the market, the main drawback in thepast having been the cost of such loaders arising because of theircomplex constructions and bulkiness.

One of the main objects of the utility loader of this invention is toprovide one that may be.

used with a small size tractor such as Ford- Ferguson tractor, with theloader so designed as to operate in confined quarters as under roofs,

v facilitates its use under low clearance conditions is the embodimentof mechanism including a pusher for discharging material directly offthe top ends of the tines of the fork of the loader, to therebyeliminate the use of a loading fork of the tilting or rocking type.Obviously, a loader of the tilting fork type requires considerableadditional head room to permit the loading fork to dip forwardly into amanure spreader box or other receptacle sufliciently to cause the mate-.

rial to move therefrom by gravity. This head room must be sufficient toallow the fork end to clear the rising level ,of material as the box orreceptacle gradually fills.

With the loader design herein presented, the

- fork tip or tine ends need only be raised suificiently to clear thetop of the box sides or the sides of-a receptacle, which normallydisposes the loading fork in an upwardly inclined'position, andthepusher then travels along the fork moving and substantially liftingthe load along the surface of the fork to spill the materialprogressivel off of the fork end into the box or upon the materialalready loaded therein.

By comparison, for practical operation, it is apparent that a loader ofthe tilting fork type requires considerably longer framework therebyadding to the cost of making the same, and since too much additionalweight is not desirable in a loader suspended from the rear end of atractor, a relatively long framework within reason able weight limitswill lack the necessary rigidity and stability necessary for the loadingfork supports and associated parts. Furthermore, a longer frame and forkassembly of a loader requires greater turning clearance when the tractoris in operation.

In the loader herein submitted, the lifting links or framework thatactuates the loading fork is comparatively short and compact whereby awell stabilized loader is attained that will-have very little, if any,appreciable side sway, or swing amounts of material can be liftedbecause of greater leverage.

The compactness of the instant loader reduces wear and tear on theloader parts to a substantial minimum, due to its good stability,thereby adding considerably to the length of service of such a unit andby the same token ,avoiding breakdowns while in use during loading andspreading operations.,

A further advantag of the loader of the present construction is that itis so designed as to be easily attached to or removed from aconventional type of tractor without necessitating any change in thetractor or its parts or in the functions thereof.

Another object is to provide a loader that may be manipulated by theconventional tractor power lift. Dual use is made of the power lift byproviding suitable mechanism to cause the lift to raise the loaded forkand to subsequently bring the power lift into action a, second time toactu ate the pusher for discharging loaded material from the fork at apredetermined timeor location.

Certain other features are also incorporated in v1 on the far side ofthe tractor.

the loader as will hereinafter be mentioned in the detailed descriptionof a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this connection,attention is also, directed to the fact thatthe fork canbe easilyconverted into a scoop or shovel for lien.-v dling finer materials suchas dirt, sand, gravel or stones, this conversion being accomplished bysecuring suitable plates to the fork structure.

All other improvements andadvantages relating to the loader and itsaggregate mechanisms will therefore appear in the following descriptionthereof having reference to the accompanying drawings of the deviceconstituting a workable disclosure thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinalcross-sectional view through the rear axle of aconventional tractor illustrating a preferred embodiment of loaderattached to such tractor and connected with the power lifts thereof;such loader having the respective parts thereof and the loading forkdis- Ill posed in lowered and normal loading position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 with thetractor wheels not shown and substantially as viewed along the line 2-2in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the loading fork structure and itsassociated push-oil with the respective parts in the same position asthe Fig.1 showing of the loader;

Fig.4 is a small detailed view of the links and parts which are attachedto the power lift arm at one side of the tractor and substantially asviewed along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 with the loadingfork in raised and load transporting positionbut with the push-oil stillin retracted relation;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary portion of the tractor and its connected linksillustrating a position of the parts immediately prior to the operationof the push-off.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view I also corresponding withthe views in Figs. 5 and 6 but illustrating the linkages in a positionwherein the push-off has been moved to the extreme load dischargingpoint on the loading fork;

Fig. 8 is a small fragmentary rear elevational view of the tractorcasing illustrating a modified construction of latch means for thelatching link which normally holds the fork in raised and loadtransporting position; i

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the modified construction illustrated in Fig.8:

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the loader and a portion of thetractor to illustrate the use of stabilizing mechanism in connectionwith the Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary diagrammatic side views of themechanism in Fig. 10, but showing two positions thereof;

Fig. 13 is a partial plan view of a modified arrangement of the forklatching means to act as fork stabilizing structure; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentaryside view of a portion of the mechanism in Fig.13.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a conventional form of tractor has been generallyindicated at IS, the forward portion of the tractor having been omitted,with the power transmission casing l6 indicated enclosing the usualdriving mechanism for the tractor axles I 1, one wheel 18 beingillustrated in Fig. The loading fork 2'0 of the loader is carried by thepower transmission housing and by its associated parts, and

this fork operates vertically just beyond the peripheries of the tractorwheels while the mechanism supporting the loading fork is compactly andconveniently confined between the protective shielding of the tractorwheels as is readily illustrated in Fig. l.

The fork 20 per se may be constructed in many ways and of materialswhich are easily obtainable. The present construction of fork has provenvery efllcient and'relatively inexpensive and is best illustrated inFigs. 1, 2 and 3. This fork is of welded construction having two uprightcomer. standards 2| and 22 welded to the outer fork tines 23 and 24respectively, the latter being of angle iron construction. Angles 25 and28 connect the standards 2| and 22 at the tops and-bottoms respectively,and a plurality of intermediate tines 21 also of angular constructionare secured to the lower cross angle 26 in spaced relation between theouter tines 23 and 24. Intermediate angles such as 28 are welded betweenthe respective fork tines forwardly of the cross angle and toward theworking end of the fork, and a reinforcing strap 30 extends across theunder surfaces of such tines to additionally reinforce the same againstexcessi e spreading during the loading operation.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it is to be noted that the fork has beenillustrated as provided with two or more skids such as 3| and 32 for thepurpose of relieving the linkage supporting the loading fork ofexcessive strain when the fork is being backed into a load, Fig. 1illustrating the fork as angularly disposed with respect to the generalhorizontal ground surface. The use of skids such as 3| and 32 isoptional and they may be detachably secured to be added when desirablefor various conditions of operation.

By supporting the loading fork from the tractor at the particular angleillustrated, the fork tears the material loose as the tractor backs thefork into the piled material. Subequently, the lifting links are onlysubjected to the weight of the fork and its load-as the fork is beingraised and such links need not also sustain the additional forcenecessary for pulling or loosening the material on the fork from theaggregate of material disposed upon the ground. It has been found thatby having the tines resting substantially upon the ground and inparallel relation thereto that the fork merely pierces the load adjacentthe ground and does not loosen the portion of material to be raised bythe fork from the piled material adjacent thereto. In the latter case itis necessary for the lifting links to cause the separation of the loadedmaterial from the piled material obviously producing an undesirablemechanical arrangement. Therefore, by constructing the fork as shown inFig. 1 the loading is made much simpler and the linkages are spared ofthis additional strain due to separating the loaded material from thepiled material.

As best seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the supporting links of the fork arefour in number comprising a pair of upper links 33 and 34, and a pair oflower pins 42 and 43 to brackets 44 and 45 secured by saddles such as 46and the bolts 4'! and 48 to the axle housings 50 of the tractor l5.Obviously, the

fixtures comprising the brackets 44 or 45 and the 2,897,046 saddles l6and their connecting bolts may be left.

on the tractor axle housings whenever the loading fork and itsassociated linkages are removed therefrom. v

The fork ends of the lower links 35 and 36 are pivotally mounted uponthe pins 5| and 52, see Fig. 3, supported upon the U-shaped brackets 53and 54 secured to cross angle 26 of the fork. The tractor ends of thelinks 35 and 36' are carried upon studs 55 and 56 suitably secured tothe power transmission tractor housing I6. Collars such as 51 and 58provided with conventional set screws may be used to hold the links 35and 36 upon their respective tractor pivot pins 55 and 56 therebyproviding an easy means for removing the links when the loading fork isbeing detached from the tractor.

The loading fork of the present construction is very compact and thelinkages are all relatively short, all due to the fact that this fork isnot of the tilting type of construction but embodies the use of apush-01f for discharging the load oil of the end of the fork. Suchpush-off is generally indicated at 60 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and consistsof a steel plate 6I having its upperedge 62 bent toward the tine end ofthe loading fork as best seen in Fig. 1, such plate being reinforced atits lower edge by a cross angle 63 with a pair of spaced angles 64 and55 vertically disposed as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Y

The push-oii' 60 is made to ride upon the upper edges of the tines andit will be noted that the outer tines 23 and 24 are greaterin verticaldimen- .sion than the intermediate tines 21. By this construction, thepush-off is guided between the upstanding edges of the outer tines 23and 24 and rides upon the upstanding edges of the intermediate tines 21during the operation thereof.

A pair of links 66 and 61 are secured to the angles 64 and 65 of thepush-01f and are stabilized by the means of the braces 60 and 10respectively. A set of arms II and 12 are pivotally connected by meansof pins I3 and I4 respectively to the outer ends of links 66 and 61.Arms II and I2 are secured to a cross-shaft I5 by welding or in anysuitable manner and the shaft 15 is journaled at the upper ends of thestandards 2| and 22 of the fork in bearings I6 and TI, each of which aresecured to the standards by means of U -bolts such as I8 and appropriatenuts 80.

Therefore, from the above description in connection with the push-oil?it will be noted that the movements of the push-oil? 60 will becontrolled by the rotary movements of the shaft I5 through theinstrumentality of the linkages described. The push-oil? 60 willnormally be maintained in its retracted and inoperative positionillustrated in Fig. 1 by means of a tension spring 8| secured at itslower end to the cross angle 26 by the eye bolt 02 and at its upper endby means of a link 03 to the outer end of an arm 86 secured to the crossshaft 15.

Various means may be provided for rocking the shaft 75 against theaction of the spring ill to cause the connected links to move thepush-off toward the outer end of the tines for discharging the load. Inthe present construction a pair of links such as 65 and 06 are pivotallyconnected at 01 and 88 to the ends of arms 90 and also suitably securedto the rock shaft 15. To reinforce the connection of the links and 86with the rcckshaft as well as to add rigidity to the arms II and I2. thepins 01 and 88 extend through ears 92 and 93, welded to the arms 'II andI2 respectively. The manner in which the push members or links and 08are operated will hereinafter he explained in connection with theoperation of the lifting fork.

There are various forms of lifts or other equivalent mechanismsassociated with conventional carried arms I00 and MI that arehydraulically operated and such arms being best illustrated in Figs. 1and 2. These arms are normally operated through manual control means notillustrated in the present disclosures and although the arms I00 and IMmay be raised or lowered within certain limits under manual control ormay be moved to various intermediate angular positions, the presentloader has been designed to utilize the full movement of these arms fromtheir normal inoperative and down positions to their full up and raisedpositions. There is no need for any intermediate position with thepresent device for loading spreaders.

A pair of lifting chains such as I02 and I03 are secured to the ends ofthe arms I00 and HM by means of suitable clevises I06 and I05; while thefork ends of these chains are connected to the links I06 and I0! alsocarried by the pins 56 and 52. Auxiliary branch chains I08 and i053 areconnected intermediate the length of the chains I02 and I 03 as shown inFigs. 1 and 2 and connect with the U-shaped members H0 and HIrespectively. The U-shaped links H0 and Ill are welded or otherwisefastened to brackets H2 and H3 which. are respectively bolted to thelinks 35 and 36. These brackets H2 and H3 carry a cross slat H4 weldedthereto which forms the stabilizing means for the links 35 and 36 andsuch slat also has an intermediate twisted portion H5 to which can besecured an implements clevis straps. Such a draw bar was provided foruse in drawing implements or other vehicles while the fork is attachedand which draw bar is accessible when the loading fork is held in raisedposition as best illustrated in Fig. 5.

The use of the dual or Y chains at each side of the loader is for thepurpose of obtaining better mechanical advantage during the initiallifting action of the loading fork as brought about by the movement ofthe arms I00 and NI. The pull through the chains I02 and I03 by reasonof their attachment adjacent the fork as shown in Fig. 1 provides agreater lifting leverage and relieves the arms I00 and ml of excessiveinitial strain in raising the fork from rest and in loading position byreason of being more remotely connected from the pivotal points of thefork supporting links. As the fork is being raised into carryingposition, there will be a point at which both of the chains I02 and I03and the chains I08 and I09 will all carry the load equally and as thefork is lifted still further the entire load will then be raised throughthe auxiliary chains I08 and I09 and the portions of the chains I02 andI03 which connect the former chains with the arms I 00 and I 0|. Thislatter action is also well illustrated in comparing Figs. 1 and 5 whichshow the two relationships between the chain actions. Referring to Figs.1, 2 and 4 it will be seen that the arms I00 and IN are also furtherprovided with links and pin means for coacting with the push bars orlinks 05 and 06 for manipulating the push-01f of the loading fork. Thearm I00 is provided with links or braces I20 and HI", the former beingbolted to the pivotal end of arm I while the arm I2I is secured to theswinging end of the arm I04, such links I20 and I2I termlnating andbeing secured by means of a cross pin I22 forming a rigid triangularconstruction directly movablewlth the arm I00 as the latter is swungabout its pivotal axis. Similarly, arm I M is also provided with linksI23 and I24 supporting and connected by a pin I25. It is the pins I22and I23 which cooperate with the ends I25 of the two push bars or links85 and to cause rocking of shaft-I5 and the resultant operation of thepush-off on the loading fork. Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen thatthe links 85 and 85 are laterally positioned to be in alignment with thespace between each of the pairs of links associated with the arms H andIOI. Furthermore, when the loading fork is in lowered loading positionas shown in Fig. 1 both of the links 85 and 85 rest upon the peripheriesof the axle housings 50 as shown. Rods I21 and I28 are welded to thelinks 85 and 85 to form projecting members which ride between therespective links associated with each of the arms I00 and IOI to therebynormally maintain the links 05 and 85 in operative alignment to be actedupon by the pins I22 and I25 during the portion of the cycle ofoperation when the push-off is being actuated.

As the loading fork is being operated from its loading position in Fig.1 to the raised position illustrated in Fig. 5 it will be seen that thelinks 85 and 80 that act as push bars for operating the push-off of theloading fork are then positioned clear of their normal peripheralcontact with the axle housings 50 and now rest upon their respec tivecoacting pins I22 and I25 as shown in Fig. 5. It is essential that thelinks 05 and 80 are so designed that the notches I20 are carried highenough by the axle housing that the pin I22 contacts the links 85 and 80below and in back of the notch I26 as the fork is lifted. With thisarrangement it is possible in the present device to maintain the fork inraised load carrying posi tion to permit freedom of use of the arms I00and IM to perform a further function, namely, that of operating thepush-off. This locking of the loaded fork is accomplished by means of alatch link I30 pivotally connected at I8I to the bracket I32 carried bythe fork framework. This link I30 is notched as at I88 for coaction witha pin.l84 which forms a part of the mechanism I85 normally used inimplement work, but which pin has no other function in the presentapparatus. This pin I34 merely forms a convenient usable means that ispresent on the tractor construc- .tion shown which can be adapted forlatching purposes in cooperation with the slot I88 in the link I80. Whenthe loading fork is lifted into theraised position illustrated in Fig.5'which position also signifies the limit of operation of the arms I00and I0! in their raised positions, the notch I88 of the link I80 willdrop over the pin I84 as shown in Fig. 5 with just enough clearancebetween the notch and the pin to insure definite latch action.Obviously. the reversal of motion of the arms I00 and IN in a clockwisedirection as shown in Fig. 5 will now cause the link I80, by reason ofits -notched engagement with the pin I34, to hold the fork in its raisedposition while the arms I00 and IN and their connected links will nowreturn to their initial positions as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. Tohasten the return action of the arms I00 and IN, a suitable spring ortwo such as I88 and I81 are connected with ears rod 140 on the tractorcasing 85, such ears being fixedly secured to links I20 and I28.

cacao-is This return of the arms I I0 and IN to their initial positionswith the lifting fork and its load locked and latched in their raisedpositions permits the second step in the operation of the device wellillustrated in Fig. 6.

Referring now to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the pin I22 and the end I20of the push bar 85 are now positioned for cooperation to actuate thepush-off. Upon the manipulation of the manual means for again causingthe arm I00 to swing in a counter-clockwise direction, the pin I22 willnow engage the end I25 of the push bar 85 whereupon the shaft 15 is thenrocked in a counter-clockwise direction. Obviously, the pin I25 on theopposite side of the tractor will also engage the end of the push bar 80in the same manner. As shaft I5 rocks upon its bearings the push-on willbe moved outwardly along the tines of the lifting fork through thelinkages connected between the shaft I5 and the push-ofl 50. Variouspositions of the push-on have been indicated in the illustration in Fig.7. In Fig. 7 the normal retracted position of the push-off is indicatedby the reference numeral a, and the broken line positions indicated by band c are two intermediate positions in the travel of the push-offtoward the outer end of the fork. The full line position indicated by dis the foremost load discharging positionof the push-oil. It will benoted that the links 50-II and 61-12 have been designed and arranged asto cause the push-off to assume the reclining angularities illustratedin the intermediate position a and b. This has been done for the purposeof maintaining the push-off solidly against the surface of the tines andto prevent any tendency of the push-oil to slide over or above the loadduring the power stroke that moves the load off the end of the tines ofthe fork. A portion of the side of a manure spreader is alsodiagrammatically indicated at L in Fig. 7 to show the relation of theloading fork to the spreader and and the function of the push-oil inprecipitating the load over the side into the spreader without requiringthe use of an extremely long fork or fork supporting framework as in thecase of tilting forks.

The release of the latch link I30 is obtained through novel meansimmediately succeeding the discharge of the load as illustrated in Fig.7 and after the push-oil has attained the full-line p0- sltion indicatedby d in Fig. '7. This is accomplished by the use of a spring I havingone end connected at I02 to the link I80, and a chain I43 connects theother end of the spring to a pin or stud I04 secured to the rock shaftI5. As seen in Fig. 1, the overall length of the spring I4I and thechain I43 is so arranged that no tension will be exerted upon the linkI80 until the loading fork has been moved into theposition illustratedin Fig. 7 When the parts are positioned as in Fig. '7 the latch link I80is still supporting the weight of the loading fork due to thecooperative engagement of the notch I38 in the latch link with the pinI34 on the tractor. However, as soon as the arm I00 is caused to swing aslight addition'al amount as is necessary to attain the full up positionas illustrated in Fig. 5, the load of the fork and its associated linkswill again be transferred to the chain as previously described. At thistime. the latch link I80 will now be free of the pin I34, and since thelink I80 will now be under the pulling action of the spring I 4| thelink will be caused to disengage from the pin I84 unlatching the loadingiork from the tractor. Thereafter, upon operation of the arms I00 and'Illl in a clockwise direction, the loading fork then again be loweredinto the loading position may the action of the power arms I and I01.

There are ways if desired in which stability may be added to thestructure illustrated particularly to resist side sway when the fork isloaded when in raised transportable position in back of the tractor. Oneconstruction is illustrated in Figs.

Attention is now directed to the illustration in Fig. wherein the latchlink I30 is shown' as down and in engagement with the pin 13d in a p nto latch the loaded fork upon reversal of movement of the arms I00 andI01. When the parts are in this position in Fig. 5 the rock shaft 15 hasnot been actuated and therefore pin M4 is disposed in its originalposition and no tension is exerted upon the spring MI through theinstrumentality of the chain M3. However, when the parts are in theraised position-illustrated in Fig. '7 and the push-ofi has beenactuated into the full line position the pin ltd will rotate with theshaft 15 to wind the chain I43 partially upon such shaft whereupontension is now exerted upon the spring IdI and such tension istransmitted to the link I30. Link 130 will then be released when themechanism is in the position illustrated in Fig. 7 while the same willnot be released nor drawn away from the pin 136 when the parts are inthe positions indicated in Fig. 5. To limit the movement of the .bracketI3o away from the pin 136, a small bracket I45 of U-shaped constructionis secured adjacent pin ltd and positioned to overlie the path ofmovement of the link ISt.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, another alternative construction ofmeans for supporting the latch pin in the path of the latch link ltd hasbeen illustrated. In this case a pair of brackets Ito and I 61 areconveniently bolted to the top of the casing I6 of the tractor I5 andsupport a common pin .168 therebetween for latchingengagement with I415to prevent excessive outward movement of the link I30 about its pivotalfork mounting, under the action of the spring 1M upon releasing thelatch link for the purpose of permitting the fork to assume its originalloading position. The shape of the brackets in Figs. 7 and 8 have beenillustrated for use in connection with the tractor shown in thepreferred form. The brackets I 46 and I41 are shaped to bridge themechanism I45 and merely illustrate another means of supporting .the pinfor latching purposes in connection with the attached loading fork.,Obviously, any suitably mounted pin on any portion of the tractorcooperating with the latch link illustrated will operate and act in thesame capacity as the pin I36 in the preferredform, and the pin M8 in themodified'form of such a construction.

It will be obvious that various changes may be 10. 1'1 and 12, whereinthe use of chains such as I52 and IE3 are connected between brackets I54and IE5 conveniently secured to the lower swinga-ble links 35 and 36 ofthe fork. The chains I52 and I53 may be secured to the tractor casing byany suitable adjustable fastening means I56 and I51, such adjustablemeans permitting a certain amount of regulation of the slack in thesechains to allow perfect functioning thereof. As diagrammaticallyillustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 it will be seen that when the fork is inthe lower position porting position which is also equivalent to the Fig.5 position, the chains willagain be substanefficiency and speed ofoperation of the fork under use of a double latch link construction inplace of the original single link I3Ilillustrated in the preferred formof loader. In the latter construction In Fig. 13, a pair of links suchas I60 and I St are provided to coact between the fork 20 and 'thetractor housing I6. These links are spaced as shown and connected bysuitable cross members I tfi'and I63 and through the diagonal bracesits. In this case, the spring Ida is secured at I65 to one of the crossbraces as shown and acts in the same manner as hereinbefore forreleasing the pair of latch links. In Fig. 13 the made in the linkconstruction illustrated. For

ing the cost thereof as well as to enhance the latch links I60 and I IIIvare pivotally connected to the loading fork at points I65 and I61 whilethe outer ends cooperate with latching pins I19 and Ill supported uponthe tractor casing It by the brackets I12 and I13. Bent rods such' as Hiand are secured to the end portions of the brackets and overlay thepaths of the swinging latch links 168 and 1.61 as 'best illustrated inFig. 14 for the purpose of limiting the movement thereof away from theirrespective latch pins under the action of the spring I4I. It is alsopossible to use both of the stabilizing ideas presented in Figs. 10 and.13 in combination if that is desirable.

The utility loader described is designed for the purpose of having aloader of a detachable character that will be, within the reach of anysmall farm owner and at the same time to sup-' manipulation of a singlepower lift supplied with a tractor as standard equipment thereon.

Summarizing the operation of the loader in connection with theconventional tractor shown it is seen that the first step will be toback the tractor with the fork into the material being loaded as shownsubstantially in Fig. 1. Then by operating the manual lever for raisingthe lifting arms the fork is raised into the position illustrated inFig. which suspends the load in carrying position. The operator can thenagain manipulate the lever for lowering the arm which looks and latchesthe load into the position illustrated in Fig. 6, the arms returning totheir initial lowered position as the tractor is driven to the point ofdelivery of the load. When the tractor arrives at the point of dischargethe fork is positioned accordingly through steering the tractor and atthis point the operator will again operate the manual lever for raisingthe arms which will operate the push-off and discharge the load in themanner illustrated in Fig. 7. Thereafter the fork will automaticallrelease itself upon completion of the upper stroke of the arms I00 andI0! whereupon the operator may carry the fork in this raised positionand may subsequently operate the lever to allow the fork to lower as heagain drives the tractor to the loading point to obtain another load ofthe material. 1

It is to be understood that the foregoing descriptions and disclosuresare all more or less specifically directed to exemplary constructions ofthe present tractor loader and that various changes and modificationsare contemplated which will produce equivalent mechanisms or mechanicalstructures that shall function or propower lift means to raise saidfork, a latch means to lock said fork in raised position, said operablemeans being rendered ineffective by said latch means in response to themovements of said power lift means after said fork is locked,

and push-oil actuating means automatically con-' nectlble with saidpower lift means to operate said push-off when said fork is disposed inraised latched position.

2. A loader for a tractor having power lift means operable betweencertain limits of movement, comprising a load carrying member supportedupon said tractor for movement relative thereto, a push-off on said loadmember, operable mechanism connected between the load member and saidpower lift means to move said load member into raised load transportingposition during movement of said power lift means in one direction, lockmeans to hold said load member in raisedload carrying position, saidlock means functioning to render said operable mechanism ineffective toallow said power lift means to move in the opposite direction, andpush-off actuating mechanism connectible with said power lift means tobe operated by said lift means as the latter again moves in said onedirection to operate said push-off when said load member is in saidraised and locked position.

3. In a loader for a tractor having power lift arms, a loading fork, amaterial push-off on said fork, links for pivotally supporting said forkfrom said tractor, chain means connected between said fork and the powerlift arms for raising the fork, push-off actuating means disposed forconnection with said power lift arms, locking means for holding saidfork in raised posi-' tion independently of said power lift arms, andmeans carried by said power lift arms and adapted for engagement withsaid push-off actuating means to cause the latter to move said push-offand discharge the loaded material from said fork, said chain meanspermitting said arms to so function while said fork is locked in raisedposition, and release means connected with said locking means to renderthe latter ineffective after the material is discharged from said fork.

4. In a loader for a tractor having power lift arms movable between twopositions, a loadin fork swingably supported upon said tractor, apush-oil carried upon said fork, lifting means connected between saidfork and the lift arms to dispose said fork in loading position upon theground when said arms are in one position and to dispose said fork inmaterial transporting position when said arms are in their secondposition, locking means for holding said fork in transporting positionindependently of said lift arms when the latter move to said secondposition, and coacting mechanisms connected with said push-off and saidlift arms respectively to move said pushoff along said fork to dischargematerial therefrom as said arms are again moved from said one to theother of their positions.

5. Ina loader for a tractor having power lift arms movable between twopositions, a loading fork swingabiy supported upon said tractor, a

push-off carried upon said fork, lifting means connected between saidfork and the lift arms to dispose said fork in loading position upon theground when said arms are in one position and to dispose said fork inmaterial transporting position when said arms are in their secondposition, locking means for holding said fork in transporting positionindependently of said lift arms when the latter move to said secondposition, and coacting mechanisms connected with said push-off andsaidlift arms respectively to move said pushoff along said fork todischarge material therefrom as'said arms are again moved from said oneto the other of their positions, and means controlled by the movement ofone of the aforesaid coacting mechanisms to release said fork lockingmeans when said lift arm are again disposed in their aforesaid secondpositions to subsequently lower said fork into contact with the ground.

6. In a ladder for a tractor having lift arms operable from lowered toraised positions, 8 l ing fork swingably supported upon the tractor, apush-off on said fork to discharge loaded materials therefrom, liftmeans connected betweensaid lift arms and the fork to raise the latterfrom loading position to load'carrying DOsition, operating mechanismcarried by-said fork and connected with said push-off to move the latterincluding actuators disposed for engagement by said lift arms, andconnectible means carried by said tractor and said fork respectively andadapted for cooperation with said lift arms whereby said fork isautomatically suspended in raised position from the tractor after saidlift arms are operated from lowered to raised positions, and wherebysaid arms are rendered operative to engage said push-off actuators tooperate said push-off to discharge the loaded material from said fork.

'7. In a loader for a tractor having lift arms operable from lowered toraised positions, a load.-

said lift arms and the. fork to raise the latter from loading positiontqghd carrying position,

test out of the pile d material with a greater mechanical advantage andwhereby said second chain end subsequently becomes effective to permitragreater lift of said fork, a push-.oifon said operating mechanismcarried by said fork and fork member, operating means to actuate saidconnected with said push-oil! to move the latter including actuatorsdisposed for engagement by said lift arms, and connectible means carriedby said tractor and saidfor-k respectively and adapted for cooperation"with said lift arms whereby said fork is automatically suspended inraised position from the tractor after said lift arms are operated fromlowered to raised positions, and whereby said arms are rendered.operative to engage said p'ush-ofi actuators to operate said push-off todischarge-the loaded material froin said fork, and release meanscooperating with one of said connectible means to dieengage the latterand to transfer the fork fsuspension from the tractor back to the liftarms.

8. In a loader for a tractor having lift arms operable from lowered toraised positions, 8.10311, ing fork swlngably supported upon thetractor, a push-ofi on said fork to discharge loaded materialstherefrom, lift means connected between said lift arms and the fork toraise the latter from loading position to load carrying position,operating mechanism carried by said fork and connected with saidpush-off to move the latter including actuators disposed for engagement,by said lift arms, and connectible means carried by said tractor andsaid fork respectively and adapted for cooperation with said lift armspush-off disposed for connection with said power lift means, andcoacting means carried by said fork member and said tractor respectivelto lock the forkmember in suspended position to release said Y-chalns oftheir lifted loaded fork whereby said lift means may be brought intocontact with said push-ofi operating means to actuate the latter, andrelease means responsive to the movement of said push-0d operatingmechanism to unlock the fork member and again transfer the weightthereof to said'chains after the fork member load has been discharged topermit lowering of said fork member into position to receive a new load.

11. In a loader for a tractor having power lift means, a fork swlngablysupported from said tractor, a push-0d on said fork, link meansconnected between said lift means and said fork whereby said lift meansmay raise said fork into whereby said fork is automatically suspended inpension from the tractor back to the lift arms,

said release means being connected with a part of said push-ofioperating mechanism to automatically cause said fork load transfer tothe lift arms upon completion ofsaid load dischar 11% function of saidpush-off. l 9. In a loader for a tractor having power lift A means, aloading fork member, link members for swingably supporting said forkmember from said I tractor, Y-chain means connected between two pointson said members and said power lift means i whereby one of the chainends on said members is effective to initially raise the loaded forkfrom rest out of the piled material with a greater mechanical advantageand whereby said second chain end subsequentlybecomes effective topermit a greater lift of said fork, a push-off on said fork member,operating means to actuate said push-oil disposed for connectionwithsaid power lift means, and coacting means carried by said forkmember and said tractor respectively 7 to lock the fork member insuspended position 1 to release said Y-chains of their lifted loaded 9fork whereby said lift means may be brought into contact with saidpush-ofi operating means J to actuate the latter. 0

10. In a loader for a tractor having power hi means, a loading forkmember, link members for swingably supporting said fork member from saidtractor, Y-chain means connected between two points on said members andsaid power lift means whereby one of the chain ends on said members iseffective to initially raise the loaded fork from an upwardly inclinedposition, operable mechanism including joined links connected with saidpush-ofl and disposed for operation by-said lift means after said forkis raised said push-on comprising a generally fiat load contactingmember disposed substantially at right angles to said fork whenretracted upon the latter to partially hold the load as said fork israised, and said joined links of said push-off operating mechanismcomprising means to force the fork contacting edge of said push-offunder the load and against the surface of said fork during the dischargeof loaded material from said fork.

12. In a loader for a tractor having power lift means, a' fork swingablysupported from said tractor, a push-0d on said fork, link meansconnected between said lift means and said fork whereby said lift meansmay raise said fork into an upwardly inclined position, operablemechanism including joined links connected with said push-0H anddisposed for operation by said lift means after said fork is raised,said push-ofi comprising a generally fiat load contacting memberdisposed substantially at right angles to said fork when retracted uponthe latter to partially hold the load as said fork is raised, and saidjoined links of said push-0d operating mechanism comprising means toforce the fork contacting edge of said push-0E under the load andagainst the surface of said fork during the discharge of loaded materialfrom said fork, and means carried by said fork and connected with saidpush-off to hold the latter in inoperative retracted position and toreturn said push-off to such position after having discharged the fork,

hold the load as said fork is raised, and said joined links of saidpush-off operating mechanism comprising means to force the forkcontacting edge of said push-off under the load and against the surfaceof said fork during the discharge of loaded material from said fork, andresilient mechanism connected between said fork and said operablepush-off actuating mechanism to normally maintain said push-off inretracted position upon said fork and to return said push-ofi to suchposition after discharging a fork load.

14. The combination with a tractor having power operated lift arms, of aloader having a lifting fork and a push-oif on said fork, a first meansconnected between said fork and said lift arms for raising and loweringsaid fork, a second means connected with said push-ofl and adapted foroperative engagement by said lift arms when said fork is in raisedposition, said second means including actuators disposed fornonengagement with said lift arms when said fork is in loading position,said actuators being grought into a position to be engaged by said liftarms while said fork is raised, and automatic latching means for lockingsaid fork in raised position and to permit saidlift arms to engage saidactuators to operate the pilSh-Ofl when said fork is so raised, andmeans responsive to the movement of said pushoff to release saidautomatic latching'means to permit said lift arms to again lower saidfork through the instrumentality of said first means. 15. A tractorloader operable by power lift means of the tractor, comprising a fork, apushmeans, subsequent movement of said power liftmeans from its initialposition operating said push-off.

16. A tractor loader operable by power lift means of the tractor,comprising a fork, a pushoff on said fork, collapsible raising meansconnected between said fork and the power lift means for lifting saidfork upon movement of said lift means from initial position, lock meansto hold the fork in raised position, actuating means for said push-offincluding latch means arranged for connection with said lift means aftersaid fork is locked, said raising means collapsing while the power liftmeans returns to initial position to engage the latch means of thepush-off actuating means, subsequent movement of said power lift meansfrom its initial position operating said push-on, and release means torelease said fork for lowering.

CLARENCE B. RICHEY.

